Histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of epidermis was studied in deer, goat and sheep. The skin consisted of two layers, viz. a superficial epidermis and the deeper dermis. Sweat and sebaceous glands, as well as hair follicles, were epidermal structures located in the dermis and subcutis. Epidermis was composed of stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Among all the 27 regions studied in the three species, muzzle region had the thickest epidermis. Among the five layers of the epidermis, stratum basalis, stratum spinosum and stratum corneum were always present and formed continuous layers throughout the body surface. Stratum granulosum consisting of one to three layers of cells was a continuous layer in most of the regions. A definite stratum lucidum was seen only in the muzzle, dorsal nasal and ventral abdominal areas. PAS and Alcian blue positive areas were detected in stratum spinosum and stratum granulosum. The latter exhibited positive reaction as green fluorescence to fluorescein iso-thiocyanate conjugated lectin from Ulex europaeus . Intensity of reaction was more in sheep among the three species studied. Epidermis exhibited diffused positive reaction for oil red o. The epidermis showed a positive alkaline phosphatase reaction exept stratum corneum. A diffused positive reaction to acid phosphatase was noticed in epidermis. Melanocytes and keratin pigments in the different layers of skin exhibited a positive reaction in immunohistochemistry due to antigen-presenting immune cells i e. Langerhans cells. Transmission electron microscopy revealed cells in epidermis with keratohyaline granules.
Background and Aim: The National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics is an animal science research institute under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The intellectual property management system (IPMS) of the institute oversees technology creation, protection, and transfer/commercialization. This study reviews the effectiveness of the IPMS using traditional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) evaluation. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive repository was developed to compile the SWOT pertaining to the IPMS based on relevant document reviews and the inputs of experts and stakeholders. The repository was shared among scientists of the institute for rating. The rating process revealed the top ten key SWOT associated with the structure and operation of the IPMS. The weighted SWOT matrix technique was used to identify the best strategies to improve and develop the IPMS further. This included strategies derived from the best combinations of key strengths and opportunities (S-O strategies), key weaknesses and opportunities (W-O strategies), key strengths and threats (S-T strategies), and key weaknesses and threats (W-T strategies). Results: The top-ranked strengths included "possession of patented technology" and "state-of-the-art biosafety laboratory facilities," while "lack of in-house faculty with legal expertise in intellectual property rights (IPR)" and "lack of technology incubation facilities" were the key weaknesses. The key opportunities included "external funding for research projects" and "market demand for onsite diagnostic tools." The major threats were "lack of market for veterinary diagnostics" and "broadbased patents on research tools and technologies." Conclusion: The strengths of the system, such as a state-of-the-art biosafety laboratory and technology-marketing collaboration with Agrinnovate India Ltd., could be employed effectively to gain from the opportunities tendered by the market demand for on-site disease diagnostic tools (S-O strategies). The limitation arising from a dearth of technical staff could be overcome by technological backstopping through international linkages in the area of disease monitoring and surveillance. Funding from externally supported projects could also be utilized for recruitment of personnel (W-O strategies). Limitations arising from the combination of inadequate in-house IPR expertise and the threat arising from broad-based patents on research tools warrant vigilance (W-T strategies).
